Chapter 53

Liam fell silent.

Evelyn's breath hitched. She quickly stammered, "I swear I won't touch you in my sleep this time. I can even tie my hands if that makes you feel better."

Her fingers twisted in the sheets as Liam suddenly stood.

He moved toward the bed with purposeful strides.

Evelyn scrambled backward, curling into a tight ball on the opposite edge.

Without a word, Liam removed his shoes and settled onto the mattress.

She remained perched like a frightened bird at the foot of the bed.

The irony wasn't lost on her - she'd invited him here, yet now she trembled like a leaf.

Evelyn hated this contradiction within herself.

"Lie down," Liam's deep voice cut through the silence. "Let's talk."

How could mere words make her pulse race like this?

Her heart stuttered as she obeyed, barely daring to breathe. "About what?"

"Did you remove your earpieces?"

"Yes."

"Are you tired?"

"No. I usually stay up past eleven."

Liam's next question came measured and calm. "How did you meet my grandmother?"

The truth spilled easily from Evelyn's lips. "After waking with no memories, I was lost. When I saw an ad for caretakers at Silver Pines Retirement Home, it seemed like divine intervention."

"Margaret visited her friend there one afternoon. We connected instantly - she claimed it was fate. Soon after, I became her private caregiver."

The silence stretched before Liam spoke again. "You cared for her three years, yet we barely interacted. Why believe her when she said I wanted to marry you?"

Evelyn's throat tightened.

Self-awareness had never been her strong suit. So why had she trusted Margaret's words?

The painful truth? She'd fallen for Liam the moment their eyes met. Margaret's stories of his heroism only deepened her infatuation. When presented with this fantasy, reason had abandoned her.

She'd even foolishly believed her beauty could sway him.

Now she understood - their marriage was Margaret's doing. Her ignorance had destroyed Liam's chance with Victoria.

Guilt twisted in Evelyn's chest. "I'm sorry, Liam."

Despite her love for him, she wanted his happiness above all - even if it meant losing him.

"There's still time," she whispered, voice thick with unshed tears. "We can divorce tomorrow. I know Victoria has been waiting for you."

The dim lighting created an intimate confessional between them.

For the first time, Liam opened up. "I won't lie - I've always cared for Victoria. She was fourteen when she left. I was eighteen."

"That first love... it wrecked me when she disappeared. I never got to tell her how I felt."

Evelyn listened silently as Liam recounted his bittersweet history with Victoria. Hot tears soaked into her pillow as she bit her lip raw. She wouldn't let him hear her break.

How she envied Victoria - to be loved so deeply by such an extraordinary man, for so many years.

"Victoria returned two years ago," Liam continued. "But she'd changed - in appearance, in spirit. My feelings never progressed past that childhood affection. The woman she's become... she's a stranger to me now."

"I don't owe her anything. But I do owe you, Evelyn."

Her breath caught. She hastily wiped her cheeks. "Owe me what?"